Theatre Network Australia – Inaugural Meeting 14 Sept, 2011
TNV is leading a project to establish an Australian theatre network, by working with all the states and territories to strengthen state activity and connect to national colleagues.
Theatre Network Australia aims to:
1. Strengthen the small to medium theatre sector in Australia
2. Build an efficient network that validates existing state activity
3. Capitalise on the momentum around the country
4. Build connections with existing national activity.
… through three strategies:
1. Support state/territory based networking and existing national activity: travel to five states, set-up state/territory meetings where appropriate, encourage state/territory based ongoing networks
2. Improve communications with a national website, e-network and e-news
3. Act as Australian Theatre Forum conduit: ensure that all states are aware of ATF, prepared for it and able to attend with a clear sense of what they contribute and get out of it.
THEATRE NETWORK AUSTRALIA – STATE UPDATES APRIL 2012
Victoria
Theatre Network Victoria is in the third year of operations. 2nd annual Victorian Theatre Meeting was held in late 2011 and was sold out, with over 120 people attending. TNV produced the ATF 2011 in Brisbane in September (and the upcoming ATF 2013 in Canberra), and is leading the establishment of the Theatre Network Australia project.
Contact: Nicole Beyer, Theatre Network Victoria Director.
Australia’s Capital Territory
ACT has an active committee up and running: Theatre Network ACT. Several meetings were held in 2011, with discussions focussing on the Review of Arts in Canberra. In particular, the first round of grants after a restructuring of Peer Assessment panels has caused some issues of concern. The network will also be acting as the local advisory committee for the Australian Theatre Forum 2013, and will oversee a photo-shoot for the ATF 2013 banner.
Contact: Cathy Roach, ACT Theatre Network Convenor and Jigsaw Theatre Company Artistic Directorate.
New South Wales
Theatre Network NSW has run its first sector meeting – “Theatre Futures” – held in April 2012. Topics included Regional Partnerships, Digital Futures and a news-round session. The network completed a consultation project in 2011 and is seeking funding for an ongoing, staffed network. In the meantime, the voluntary committee is continuing activities to support and unite the sector.
Contact: Simon Wellington, Griffin Theatre.
Queensland
The Queensland sector ran meetings last year prior to and after the Australian Theatre Forum, as a way to prepare, start discussions and ensure a legacy from the Forum. As there is a new government in Queensland, the sector is nervous about support for the arts, particularly after the writing sector’s shock at the defunding of the Queensland Premier’s Literature Awards.
Contacts: Todd MacDonald, QTC, Liz Burcham, Metro Arts, Shari Irwin, La Boite, and Stephen Maxwell, Markwell Presents.
Northern Territory
An informal network is up and running in Darwin, headed by a Steering Committee of Mary Anne Butler, Ben Graetz, Edwina Lunn, Jansis O’Hanlon and Sean Pardy. A Sector Statement will be developed to support future advocacy efforts. Darwin is hosting APACA 2012 and Long Paddock, 20-24 August, an opportunity to showcase Darwin’s performing arts and connect with national colleagues.
Contacts: Angela O’Donnell, Artback NT, and Jane Tonkin, Corrugated Iron.
Western Australia
The theatre sector in WA ran two sector gatherings in 2011 and has plans for a formal meeting later in 2012. The Chamber of Arts and Culture, the arts advocacy voice for WA with theatre reps on the board, has pitched a budget submission for the state budget that includes calling for an increase in baseline funding of $20 million per year to underpin the ongoing health of the arts and culture sector in WA, investigations into accommodation needs of small to medium companies, funding for a network of regionally based arts officers, and a plan for new major infrastructure including a new lyric theatre.
Contacts: Shane Colquhoun, Black Swan; Cathcart Weatherly, member of the Chamber of Arts and Culture WA.
South Australia
SA runs a biennial SA Theatre Forum, with the plan for 2012’s forum to be in the second half of the year. Currently the Arts Industry Council (SA) is taking the lead with industry advocacy and activity and as such hosted two theatre sector meetings in 2011. Discussions at previous SA Theatre Forums included: Advocacy and leadership; Festivals – artistic and generational renewal; New models for funding; Towards a regional dramaturgy; Audience revival; Artists – careers, wages etc; Need for Curated independent venue. SA is also dealing with funding cuts to many of its arts organisations and programs.
Contacts: Tricia Walton, Carclew and Co-Chair Arts Industry Council (SA) and Craig Harrison, Country Arts SA.
Tasmania
Theatre Council Tasmania has a formalised committee and a part-time project manager. TCT was established as a sector-wide response to the 2010 Review of Theatre in Tasmania by Justin Macdonnell. It was proposed that in order for theatre in Tasmania to develop, the sector itself had a critical role to play in articulating its needs and advocating to Government. The current program includes; Sector Meeting held late 2011; Theatre Camp program running in partnership with Tasmania Performs; Mentorship project established for three artists; Contracting a researcher to assist with the aim of developing a one page ‘stats and facts’ toolkit.
Contact: Jane Longhurst, Manager, Theatre Council Tasmania
www.theatrecounciltas.org